September 10, 2012

Rosebud signs deal for Pe' Sla

By Steve YoungMore than 1,940 acres of land in the Black Hills considered sacred to the Great Sioux Nation appear to be heading back to the ownership of the tribes after almost 140 years in private hands, several tribal officials say.

Vernon “Ike” Schmidt, executive director of the Rosebud Sioux’s Tribal Land Enterprise department, confirmed Monday that his tribe had signed a contract to purchase the land two miles north of Deerfield Lake called Reynolds Prairie—known to the Sioux as Pe’ Sla (pay-schlaw).

Rosebud President Cyril Scott told the Associated Press that his tribe had put down $900,000 as an earnest deposit and must pay the remaining $8.1 million of the agreed-upon $9 million purchase price by Nov. 30.

“We have a lot of hurdles to cross with reviewing the title policy and doing all the title work, and getting an environmental assessment,” Schmidt said. “But we feel we’re in the driver’s seat.”Comment: For more on the subject, see Rally for Pe' Sla Purchase and Tribes May Buy Pe' Sla.